by: Ellie Evergreen
This Holiday parents want to maintain many of the special traditions that they have maintained for years. However times are tough and having the big holiday dinner right after just having spent money for Thanksgiving might seem extravagant. However there are some cost friendly activities that you can do this holiday that will still be special and magical. Here are some great suggestions to help you keep the holiday season special while not breaking your budget.

A great idea is to have a Christmas breakfast rather than a dinner. Breakfast food is normally much cheaper than lunch and dinner and you won’t have to spend too much on special holiday foods. Making a full sit down breakfast can end up being less expensive than a dinner or lunch. It will also add to the special atmosphere of Christmas morning. Try to make your kids’ favorite breakfast foods and provide delicious breakfast drinks. You can also have holiday favorites such as hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Have a holiday sing along with your family’s favorite Christmas carols and Christmas songs by favorite artists. This is a great way to have fun with the family and establish a family tradition that costs little or no money. If you have a karaoke machine, then you can have even more fun by having a holiday karaoke competition.

The weeks leading up to Christmas can be a stressful time. The holidays are trying times for Christians and non-Christians alike. If you think about all the tasks that have to be completed before December 25^th it is no wonder the true meaning and spirit of the holiday gets lost. Some would rather forget Christmas all together. But taking a few moments to reflect might just bring the spirit of Christmas back. Remembering the true reason of the season can help renew a special Christmas feeling.

Why and how did this penultimate holiday get started? History reveals that the early Christians wanted to dedicate a special day of their Savior’s birth and in doing so, separate Jesus from the ancient gods that were worshiped by the majority. Choosing to celebrate Christ’s Mass, meant a specific date would have to be chosen. This Holy Day, where the word “holiday” comes from by the way, was to be the date December 25^th . And while that date is not considered the exact day Christ was born, it was the symbol early Christians needed to promote their faith.

The tradition of gift-giving developed over time and the symbols of the season like Christmas trees, Angel figurines, and Nativity scenes are all expressions of our faith and allow us to explain our faith in Jesus to friends and neighbors. Therein lies the true meaning of Christmas, the ability to express your love, charity and beliefs. It also gives us the chance to tell how faith in Jesus can transform lives.

Christmas traditions, like most traditions, are falling by the way side these days. More and more frequently, you hear people say how when they were children, they had several familial Christmas traditions. In this day of split families, short Christmas breaks, friendly distractions, and hectic schedules, it is hard to find the time to pass Christmas traditions to your children. However, passing on Christmas traditions is not difficult to incorporate into your holiday this year.

One of the things most people remember about their fondest Christmas traditions is the food. The holidays have always been a time for good food and warm times spent in the kitchen. This is a great time to spend with your child. Have them help you make Christmas cookies, pies, rolls, salads, and if your brave enough, have them help with the turkey. Not only can you get extra help frosting all those sugar cookies, but also you are passing on a wonderful Christmas tradition while doing something you would have to do anyways.

Though the time for opening Christmas presents varies from family to family, it is a simple Christmas tradition to start for your children. For example, everyone can fondly identify with the little boy from the “Christmas Story,” who eagerly awaits Christmas morning so he can open his presents. Even as an adult, sometime I feel the pull to gently unwrap a corner of a present and sneak a peek. Making your child wait to open presents is a Christmas tradition almost all of us can identify with.